Pingtung Academy Introduction
In the year 1815 (the 20th year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty), Wu Xingcheng, the deputy magistrate of the then-Xiadanshui County, initiated the establishment of Pingtung Academy (also known as the Confucian Temple) with the assistance of tribute student Guo Cuei, Lin Mengyang, and others to promote local cultural and educational development. Although the academy underwent several relocations and renovations, it retained its original layout consisting of the lecture hall, worship hall, and dormitories, fully showcasing the spatial characteristics of traditional academies. It is a historical building with profound significance in Pingtung and the only academy structure in the area. The original Pingtung Academy was built within today's Zhongshan Park, consisting of 36 dormitories, with the front hall serving as the lecture hall and the rear hall dedicated to the worship of Wenchang Dijun, Chengzi, and Zhouzi. In 1895 (the 21st year of the Guangxu era), Pingtung Academy was transformed into a Confucian Temple, primarily worshiping Confucius, and also honoring Mencius, Yan Hui, Zengzi, and other significant figures, as well as Zhou Dunyi, Zhu Xi, Cheng Yi, Cheng Hao, and Zhang Zai, five prominent philosophers. However, due to a lack of funds for repairs, the temple gradually fell into disrepair. In 1937, the Japanese, who ruled Taiwan, planned to relocate the Confucian Temple, but following the urging of Japanese scholars advocating for preservation, it was dismantled and relocated to its current site on Shengli Road while maintaining its original appearance. After the relocation, for a significant period, the temple suffered neglect, leading to further deterioration. It wasn't until the 66th year of the Republic of China when the then-Pingtung County Commissioner invited renowned architect Han Baode to oversee a restoration project, which was finally completed in the 68th year, restoring the temple to its former glory. After reconstruction, the temple's courtyard was expanded, connecting the front and rear halls with a corridor, transforming the central hall into the Dacheng Hall, and converting the rear hall into the Chongsheng Shrine, while adding a single-slope corridor and a wall inscribed with "Jiuren Gongqiang." Additionally, four stone tablets were preserved to showcase the history of the academy's construction. In the 74th year of the Republic of China, Pingtung Academy was designated as a national historic site of level three, holding significant cultural value and well-preserved historical significance.
